Sunday, August 18, 2013

DAY 456 - Where Is Boasting? (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)


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Today's Reading: Romans 3:27-31

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Please click this link to read Romans 3:27-31

Bible Study

      Today's passage challenge the Jews what are they boasting of. Can they boast about they are the only people of God because they have the Law? Can they boast because of that the Gentiles to become the children of God are out of the question? 

Bishop N.T. Wright's says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._T._Wright):

     Monotheism is the very centre of Jewish belief,and Paul use it here to devastating effect against those who would claim a permanent privileged status for Jews.  'Hear, O Israel, YHWH our God, YHWH is on'; that was and remains the basic confession of faith, used as a daily prayer by devout Jews from that day to this.  This prayer, indeed, was seen from one point of view as the very centre of Torah itself, summing up so much that had gone before.  That, in fact, was how Jesus himself had seen it.  Now Paul goes for the same theme, in order to clinch his argument that 'there is no distinction'.  If Jesus is the Messiah of Israel, the time has come for all the nations to be invited to equal membership in God's people. 

N.T. Wright. Paul for Everyone: Romans:Part12. Louisville,KY:Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p.54-55.

     Do you have anything you are now boasting of that you are doing the same thing as the Jews to block other people that you think do no worth while to come into God's Kingdom? Do you know what are those things you and only Christians are boasting of that you are like blocking the door of the Kingdom for others to enter? 
                                    
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"



Spiritual Journal

     What I heard from Jesus today is: Where is boasting?

    What I got today from Jesus is an invitation to have a check-up in our daily lifestyle. Do we have anything we are boasting of that people are being blocked from entering into God's Kingdom?

     Those things that a normal Christian can be boasting of like:
1. We have been in the church for a long time, better than you!
2. I know the Bible better than you!
3. I am in a higher and more important position than you in our church!
4. I give more than you!
5. I am more in .......

     Boasting not only hurt other people, it also block other people to enter into God's Kingdom. The seven woes as in Matthew 23: 1-39 is a typical example of the poisoning effect of boasting. As in the conclusion of the seven woes, Matthew records what Jesus says: 

      You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?                                      Mathew 23:33

      I have seen all kinds of hurt caused by boasting, mostly by Christian leaders! What? Yes, mostly by Christian leaders! Sad!

      Where is boasting? I do hope you are not one of those who boast!     
    
Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead us not to step into the trap of boasting blocking other to come into your Kingdom.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.



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